Accommodating Students with Disabilities: Understanding the Purpose, Policy, and Procedures at SVI Al Souma, MA Rehabilitation Counselor Disability Support Services Seattle Central Community College Vicki Moseley, M.A. Counselor Disability Support Services Seattle Central Community College

Agenda Laws that govern disability in higher education District ADA statement SVIs policies and procedures Obligation to address allegations Internal and external complaint process (grievance procedure) Role of DSS office Examples of Disabilities Examples of Harassment Q & A

Laws Requiring Reasonable Accommodations 1973 Rehabilitation Act, Section Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II Core Services Bill, Washington State

ADA Statement for the District Each of the colleges offers consultation to faculty, staff, and classified employees of the college for the purpose of designing accommodations that provide equal access to otherwise qualified students. To be eligible for disability-related services, students must have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of Under the ADA and Section 504, a person has a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities (walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, sitting, breathing, and taking care of oneself).disabilityAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

Compromise Academic Standards Suspend Student Code of Conduct ADA laws do not ask institutions to:

EEOC Statement & Accommodations EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT AND ACCOMMODATION FOR DISTRICT STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES The Seattle Community College District is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, marital status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, Vietnam- era or disabled veteran status, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability, except where a disability may impede performance at an acceptable level. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. (SCCD Policy 201)

Examples of Disabilities Spinal Cord Injuries Loss of Limbs Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Cerebral Palsy Hearing Impairments Visual Impairments Speech Impairments Learning Disabilities Head Injuries Psychiatric Disabilities Diabetes Cancer AIDS PTSD

Accommodation The removal of barriers to participation

The Emphasis is on Access Not Outcome

Role of Disability Support Services Obtain Documentation Identify Functional Limitations Determine Academic Adjustments Assist in Implementation Provide Support

Purpose of Non-discrimination policies and grievance processes To enforce the Districts position prohibiting discrimination in the Seattle Community College District and to set forth the investigation and complaint handling procedures for discrimination claims.

Policy The Seattle Community College District is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The college does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, age, marital status, religion, disability or on any other unlawful basis. The college is committed to preventing and stopping discrimination, including harassment, on any of these unlawful bases, and any associated retaliatory behavior. All employees and students must be allowed to work and learn in an environment free from discrimination. The College will comply with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, educational programs, and admissions, including Titles VII and IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the state law against discrimination, chapter RCW.

Formal Complaint Process Any person may begin the formal complaint procedure by filing a written complaint as follows: – A complaint by a student should be filed with the SVI Executive Dean – SVI Executive Dean will review complaint, meet with faculty/staff and respond to student in two weeks. – Student may file with outside agencies if not satisfied with internal process

Out-side Agencies These complaint procedures are internal college procedures, and serve to resolve complaints within the colleges administrative framework. An aggrieved party also has the right to direct inquiries to, and/ or to file a complaint of discrimination with, any appropriate state or federal agency. These may include: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 909 First Avenue Seattle, WA (800) Department of Education Office for Civil Rights 915 2nd Avenue Room 3310 Seattle, WA (206) Washington State Human Rights Commission 1511 Third Avenue Seattle, WA (206)

DSS District Contacts North Seattle: Disability Services Rebecca Cory at (206) South Seattle: Educational Support Services Roxanne Tillman at (206) Seattle Central/SVI: Disability Support Services Al Souma at (206) SCCC Norwood Brooks-SVI

Create an environment of trust and confidentiality that allows the person to feel comfortable discussing his or her condition

Examples of Disability Harassment 1) Interfering with role of sign language interpreter 2) Physical barriers in classroom for wheelchair users 3) Announcing students disability to other students

Harassment examples (cont) 4) Denial of field trips because of disability 5) Embarrassing student for use of accommodations 6) Other students being inappropriate through use of mocking language or actions